Digital Story

I was so happy to learn a little about imovie.  I have never used it before. Coming into this unit I had zero knowledge about imovie.  And honestly, the thought of trying to use it was very intimidating.  Now, I feel I have some of the basics down.  Although, I also learned enough to know that there is still a lot more that I don't know.  For example, I wanted to remove a photo that I had originally put into the program and I couldn't figure out how to do it.  I did figure out how to replace it.  Otherwise I might have started all over!  Sad to say.  I definitely did learn enough to be brave enough to try it again and try to go more in depth with my next imovie project.

I had fun with this project.  I think it's a great way to review information.  For example, the way I used it in this project was as a how to.  In this instance I would teach the lesson in class and then use the video as a great tool for students to be able to review the process.

This video is useful for a unit on visual culture where we talk about the importance of knowing that professional photos show unrealistic standards of beauty.  They are fun, but it's great to have the information and be informed!

Blogging in the Classroom

I have been a big fan of blogging for a while.  I started with a personal blog and then started doing a photography blog.  I really haven't been able to keep multiple blogs going at once.  But I do love the idea of having a blog for my classroom.  As an art teacher I would use it mostly for the parents to know what is going on in the classroom.  I really want them to see more than just a finished product.  I want them to know that there are concepts their children are learning behind the art work.

Another plus for having a blog for art teachers is being to share lesson plans and inspiration with each other.  One of my favorite art photography blogs is done by one of my daughter's past art teachers.  She blogs more about what she wears.  I think it's hilarious and inspiring.  Letting parents get to know you is a great way to gain supporters for your program!

Digital Diagram

This week we worked on the digital diagrams.  Over all I liked this project.  It is a simple tool, but I can see how it could be useful in the classroom.
Personally, even though this project was fairly simple and straightforward I had more problems with it than I have had with any of the other project so far, just as far as the requirements were concerned.  For example, it was difficult for me to think of a concept in art with three subsets and three or more subdivisions.  I actually made four rough drafts on paper before I came up with my final concept.  And then there was of course the controversial issue of the textbook.  In my art ed classes we have never used a textbook at all for planning any of our lessons.  So the first time I have been asked to even look at an art textbook has been for this class.  Secondly, I felt that the rubric was unclear as to the purpose of the textbook/when it was needed.  And then also I haven't been able to get my file to load to my website.  I have tried Safari and Firefox, multiple computers, and uploading from my desktop or from dropbox, all to no avail.
All in all, it's been an interesting learning experience.  It's good to be exposed to new and different tools.  If my school owns this software I may use it if I see a good fit for it.  However, I think for my teaching area, it wouldn't be commonly useful.

Interactive White Board Flipchart

I had a great time with this activity.  I have never used a white board before, so I learned a lot with this process.  I can tell I am going to have to stop myself from spending too much time on these in my classroom.  I can see how it is a great tool to really catch student's attention by mixing things up. It will also be an excellent tool for me to have all of the online sources I am planning to use during a lesson all in one spot and ready to go.  I was able to tie in my color wheel theme for one of my slides!

I am also glad that we have the course pack with detailed instructions on the 9 different interactive activity ideas.  Thanks!

Morocco Inquiry Based Activity

The more we talk in classes about integrating technology into art class the more it makes sense to use inquiry based activities.  Especially for students who finish early or are advanced and need extra enrichment.

I decided to do an extra inquiry based activity for my optional page on my website.  And I chose the topic of Morocco.

One project that I really want to do in my classroom is a weaving project.  I felt that incorporating some information about Morocco in an inquiry based activity would be the perfect way to teach students more about the culture.  It will be a long project, so students will have time to complete it one at a time, if need be in the art room without using the technology lab.

Plus all these goats in the argan tree is really hilarious! I think students will get a kick out of that.

Scavenger Hunt

This week Rachel and I worked in a group taking photos of different types of lines for our art scavenger hunt.  We used our phone cameras and the dropbox app to complete the assignment.  I have got to say....I have really fallen in love with dropbox.  It is so helpful!  I love the convenience of being able to quickly have access to files when I'm on the go!

After finding the images we renamed them, resized them, and posted them to a picasa album is now on our websites.  

This is a tool that as an art teacher I know I will use often.  It is a great way to share photos and link them to my website in a slideshow format.

scavenger hunt

Resource Wiki

This week we worked on a resource wiki for art and music teachers.  This is a great way to save all of the resources that we have found online and share them with other teachers and students.  Sharing information online with other art teachers is really essential because there is typically only one art teacher at each school.  So it is great for us teachers to be able to have help from each other in different schools.  This is great for students and parents as well if they are interested in enrichment activities outside of school.

The process is a little time consuming to find the sites.  However, it will save time in the future, because you will know what is out there and will be able to know what lessons would be appropriate to integrate with the technology available for use.

Although it can be time consuming, as a whole you save time when you combine with the other authors of the wiki.  I would say it is a win-win.